JPH07504148A - Phase adjustment device for insertion machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A mail insertion machine (10) having an elongated insert track (12) with one or more insert dispensing devices (16) with rotary insert feeding mechanisms (22) for depositing inserts at longitudinally-space movable driving members (14) on the insert track includes a power train interconnected between the driving members and each insert dispensing device for driving them in a predetermined phase relationship with a phase-adjustment mechanism for adjusting the phase relationship. The phase-adjustment mechanism includes first and second power transmitting elements (28, 30) which can be selectively engaged with and disengaged from one another by an engaging mechanism (38), an electronic sensing and indicating mechanism mounted on the first and second power transmitting elements for sensing their positions relative to one another and providing an electronic phase-indication signal indicative thereof, and a phase-adjustment mechanism (54, 60, 64) coupled to the power train for acting on the power train when the first and second power transmitting elements are disengaged to achieve a desired phase-indication signal from the electronic sensing and indicating mechanism. In one embodiment, phase adjustment is accomplished by an electric motor which is automatically adjusted by a control system responding to the phase-indication signal and input instructions.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Phase adjustment device for insertion machine Background of the invention The invention generally relates to a machine for preparing groups of inserts to be inserted into envelopes or the like. This article relates to the technology of mail inserting machines.

Envelope inserters often include an insert track along which a push pin moves; Groups or patches of inserts deposited sequentially by the gripping jaws of an insertion rotor or equivalent drive the ile. That is, they often have rotors spaced apart along the insert trajectory. There are multiple insert dispensing devices, each device dispensing a different insert in front of each pair of push bins. This allows each push pin to deposit the pile of inserts that will ultimately be inserted into the envelope. generated at the front of the pair.

Because such mail insert machines are often used with inserts of various sizes The correlation or the sameness between the various insert dispensing devices and push bin pairs in the insert trajectory It is often necessary to change the timing. In this regard, the insert orbit pusher The spacing between the pairs of inserts is typically equal to that between the gripping jaws on the insert rotor of the insert dispensing device. is fixed as well as the angular distance. However, each insert dispensing device It is usually desirable to deposit the insert in the insert track in front of the insert.

If it deposits the insert too far forward of the push bin pair, the insert The bin pair inserts are not on the pile, making it difficult to insert the pile into the envelope .

Also, inserts that are too far forward of the push-bin pair will not be quickly It will not be aligned, causing the insert track to rotate incorrectly and possibly fail.

On the other hand, as a result of the insert dispensing device depositing the inserts on top of the push bin pair, does not touch the edge of the insert and allows the insert to be controlled and aligned with other inserts in the pile. If not, this may also interfere with the insert trajectory and/or cause the insert to be incorrectly piled. to invade.

Typically, the gripping jaws of the insertion rotor inserts the inserts to deposit them into the insert orbit. Grasp the leading edge of the Thus, the insert dispensing device distributes 6 inch wide inserts into the insert track. If it is deposited in the path, it is necessary to push the leading edge of the insert into the bin in the insert trajectory. Slightly thicker than 6 inches from the pair (synchronized to release, push bottle pair) Deposit the insert just anteriorly. In an insert mechanism with a 6 inch insert deposited If the insert dispensing device is required to deposit 3 inches of insert, the insert The relationship between the insertion rotor gripping jaw and the object orbit push pin is as follows: Change so that the leading edge of the insert is slightly larger than 3 inches in front of the pair. It must be. Such synchronization was accomplished manually in the past.

That is, the rotational movement of the insertion rotor in the insert dispensing device and the There is a power linkage or power transmission train during the linear movement of the push bin. The combination is , it is usually not possible to manually release the clamp in this drive train or linkage. and manual control of the insertion rotor independent of push-bin movement in the insertion trajectory. Allow rotation. Then, the adjustment between the push bin movement and the insertion rotor gripping jaw movement is Each insertion rotor is rotated independently until positive synchronization is achieved. after that, The clamp is tightened again. Then the machine was test run and further manual adjustments were made. Adjustments are made as required. As one might think, such an adjustment would be extremely time consuming. Thus, the inserts consume time and must be done for each insert dispensing device. A remote, Phase adjustment device for insertion machines operated automatically and/or in a programmed manner It is an object of this invention to provide.

It also provides a phase adjustment device that is relatively complex to construct (and relatively inexpensive). It is an object of this invention to do so.

Summary of the invention The principles of the invention provide a phase-in between the movement of the insert dispensing device and the drive member of the insert track. A phase adjustment mechanism for adjusting the relationship is a power transmission mechanism between the insert track and the insert dispensing device. electronic actuation for selectively engaging and disengaging the first and second power transmission elements of the delivery chain; A dynamic interlocking mechanism and an electronic phase instruction signal that detects and indicates the relative position of each other are installed. an electronic sensing and indicating mechanism attached to the first and second power transmission elements to The first and second power transmission elements are disengaged and the desired phase indication signal is received from the electronic sensing and indicating mechanism. phase adjustment coupled to the drive train to act on the drive train when achieving the including mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment, the interlocking mechanism is electronically actuated.

The insert dispensing device includes an insert rotor with gripping jaws and a phase adjustment mechanism. is an electronically operated motor. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the logic control system In order for the stem to automatically achieve the correlation by input instructions to the control system, Electrically interconnected between the electronic sensing and indicating mechanism and the electronic motor. one fruit In embodiments, the electronic sensing and indicating mechanism is coupled between the first and fourth power transmission elements. An interconnected electronic scale sliding mechanism.

Brief description of the drawing The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention. It will be clear from the description and shown in the accompanying drawings. Same throughout various drawings Reference numbers refer to identical parts. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, but instead , emphasis is placed on clearly demonstrating the principle of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows fragmentation of a portion of a mail inserter using the phase adjustment device of the present invention; FIG.

Figure 2 is a fragmented, enlarged, isometric, partial schematic view of the mail inserter of Figure 1; Ru.

Description of preferred embodiments The mail inserter 10 includes longitudinally spaced movable drives in the form of pusher bin pairs 14. an elongated insert track 12 having a moving member; a plurality of insert dispensing devices 16; Power transmission chain between push bin pair 14 and insert dispensing device 16 including a clear phase adjustment mechanism or a link mechanism.

The pair of push bottles 14 are usually attached to a chain or belt, and the spacing between them is , usually adjustable. The pusher pair typically not only drives the insert 20; press the next edge of the insert 20 to align and control them. so that it moves at a uniform speed in the direction indicated by arrow 18.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the insert dispensing device 16 includes a pair of gripping jaws 2. An insert rotor 22 having a feed mechanism consisting of four insert hoppers (not shown) L for sequentially grasping the front edge 26 of one article and pulling each insert from the hopper. ! The next edge is in front of the next push bottle pair 14 and the next The insert is positioned immediately adjacent to the pair of push bins 14. Then, Ggami-chin Pair 24 releases the leading edge 26 of the insert and causes the next pair of push pins 14 to engage the insert. , driving it further along the insert trajectory 12 in the direction of arrow 18. Understanding As shown in FIG. Insert dispensing in an insert mechanism, if properly synchronized or phased, The inserts deposited sequentially in front of the push bin pair 14 by the push bin pair 16 Form a pile of inserts in front of 14. Also, ensure that these parts are properly If not synchronized or phase related, the subsequent insert 20b will be similar to the previously deposited insert. 20a or on top of the bin pair 14, in any case. As mentioned above, this is undesirable for obvious reasons.

Maintaining movement of push bottle pair 14 in proper correlation with rotation of insertion rotor 22 For this purpose, a power linkage or series includes a timed drive shaft 28, A timing pulley 30 coupled to a timed drive shaft 28, a bell These are Provided between two members. During normal operation, all of these parts are moved together. As a result, the timed relationship is The pair 14 is maintained during the movement of the jaw pair 24. Regarding this, Pairs 24 are spaced the same distance from each other, similar to push bottle pairs.

According to the invention, this power transmission train is arranged between the pair of push bottles 14 and the pair of gripping jaws 24. It includes a phase adjustment mechanism to mock the phase relationship of. This phase adjustment mechanism selectively interlocking and disengaging between the drive shaft 28 and the timed drive shaft 28; Includes an acceptable conventional electrically actuated clutch or brake 38. In this regard, Thailand The shaft disk 40 is rigidly attached to the drive shaft 28 which has been removed from the bow. A limit pin 44 having a shaped slot 42 and rigidly attached to the timing pulley 30 is connected thereto. It is penetrated by this. Clutch 38 is released so that timing pulley 30 rotates independently of the timed drive shaft 28, the limit bin 44 , the amount of travel between timing pulley 30 and timed drive shaft 28 is limited to the slot length.

As seen in detail in FIG. Electrical impedance table with scale that was contacted by the attached indicator brush or slide 48 An indicator strip 46 is a fixture. In a preferred embodiment, a graduated electrical Although the pedance strip 46 is a rheostatic resistor, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is a capacitive resistor. Numerous other types of electrical measurement mechanisms may also be used, such as, inductive, and/or magnetic devices. It is understood that

The timed drive shaft 28 has a pair of slip rings 50a and b. brushes 52a and b, each coupled to an electronic logic control system 54. can be engaged. In addition, one end of the electrical impedance strip 46 with a scale is attached to one side of the slip ring 50a, but the brush 48 is not shown schematically in the drawing. The other slip ring 50b shown in FIG. In this regard, these Make sure that electrical accessories do not enter the path of the rolling ring 50 that slides on the brush 52. However, this appears in the case of Figure 2, where the drawing has been arranged to improve understanding. do not have.

By applying voltage to brush pair 52a and b, control system 54 measuring the relative position of the indicator brush 48 on the electrical impedance strip 46; As a result, the respective correlation between the timing pulley 30 and the shaft disk 40 is Measure. The control system receives input commands at 56 and sends them via line 58. is coupled to DC phase change motor 60 via line 66 to clutch 38. . The phase change motor 60 rotates a pinion 62, which is connected to the insertion rotor shaft 3. 6 is rotated.

Now, referring to the operation of the inserter]0 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first, each insert The pile ff16, that is, each insertion rotor 22 and each pair of gripping jaws 24 are , an insert pile immediately forward of the movable push bin pair 14 in the insert track 12. It is assumed that the insert 20 is deposited on top of 20a. With 6 inch wide inserts one of the insert rotors 22 and each lever to deposit a 3-inch wide insert. Assuming that it is desired to change the Mija vs. 24, the timed The drive shaft 28 is stopped, which also causes the push pin pair 14, the timing pulley 30, belt 32, insertion rotor pulley 34, insertion rotor shaft 36, and insertion rotor pulley 34, insertion rotor shaft 36, and The movement of the input rotor 22 is stopped. Clutch 38 then adjusts the timing. An electrical wire 66 is used to release the timing pulley 30 from the driven shaft 28. so that it is actuated via the timed drive shaft 28. rotated with respect to Input instructions are provided to the control system 54a at 56; The insertion rotor 22 places a 3-inch insert into the insert track 12 instead of a 6-inch insert. This notifies the buttock control system that it must be synchronized in order to deposit. theory A control system 54 containing logic circuitry is configured to provide a control system 54 that generates rotation of a pinion 62. DC phase change motor 60 is actuated at input 58, which is connected to insert rotor shaft 36. , thereby causing the insertion rotor 22 to rotate. Rotation of insertion rotor 22 At the same time, the phase change motor 60 also drives the timed drive shaft 28. , the timing pulley 30 is rotated via the belt 32, thereby A pair of gripping jaws 24 on the insert roller 22 and a pusher jaw pair on the insert track 12 A phase change occurs between the pair of rings 14.

This relationship between the timing pulley 30 and the timed drive shaft 28 The rotation causes indicator brush 48 to sweep over graduated electrical impedance strip 46. This reduces the impedance applied between the slit rings 50a and 50b. using the voltage applied to brushes 52a and b to cause an electronic control detected by system 54.

This impedance sensed by control system 54 is the measured value of the phase between push bottle pair 14, and thus control system 54 controls 6 Proper Phase to Indicate Proper Phase to Feed 3-inch Inserts Instead of Inch Inserts Phase change motor 60 continues to operate until the signal is reached. Signs 3”-6” is shown on the shaft disc 40 in FIG. 2, with 3 inch and 6 inch inserts. and to send inserts with sizes between these two extreme sizes. Indicate the proper position of the limit pin 44 with respect to the shaft disc 40. in technology It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that sizes other than those shown in FIG. 2 may also be used in different configurations. It is permitted to be used.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that It will be understood that this is done without a single twist. For example, detecting phase difference An electronic sensing and indicating mechanism for the desired correlation is used with a simple display readout device. used by an operator to remotely activate a phase change motor to reach used. That is, the phases are sent to control system 54 as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, it will not be adjusted automatically.

In other words, the control system 54 can be highly sophisticated and automatic, or can be manually operated. It is extremely simple with a switch. In addition, a brush 48 and an electric impeder with a scale are also included. Many types of electronic measurement or sensing mechanisms other than spring strip 46 can also be used. Also, electric Measurements taken by the child sensing and indicating mechanism may be taken by means other than slip rings. is taken from the drive shaft 28 which is timed with the shaft disc 40.

Furthermore, during phase adjustment, the insertion rotation and trochanter shaft 36 are controlled by means other than a rotary motor. and are interconnected to the timing pulley 30 by means other than a belt. tied.

Automatically detects and transmits the relative relationship between the insert dispensing device and the transport mechanism in the insert trajectory. It would be extremely beneficial to have an electronic sensing and indicating mechanism to send the signal. That's called This signal coordinates the synchronization between the movement of the insert dispensing device and the insert trajectory. This is because it is used for

Additionally, an electronically actuated power train between the insert dispensing device and the insert track is used. It would be extremely beneficial to have a selective engagement and disengagement mechanism. This is because The power transmission train adjusts the phase between the insert track and the insert distribution device as follows. This is because it can be easily and remotely released in order to

Correlation between insert trajectory and insert dispensing device, allowing automatic and remote adjustment of phases Yet another aspect of the invention includes an electrically actuated phase change motor to adjust the An advantageous aspect of the In order to provide an indication signal, first and second An electronic sensing and indicating mechanism installed in the power transmission element.

The logic control system of this invention interconnects electronic sensing and indicating mechanisms and phase change motors. and in one embodiment, it connects the insert track with respect to the insert dispensing device. It is extremely useful in automatically adjusting and monitoring the phase of In this regard , by having a logical control system, the operator can It is necessary to provide an input to the control system for the desired correlation to be The system automatically compares this to the detected phase and adjusts the detection to reach the desired phase relationship. control the known phase.

Slip rings provide electronic sensing and indication to transmit correlation signals to the control system It is beneficial to be used by institutions. This is because the moving rotor in order to provide an uncomplicated method for reading electronic signals.

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. an elongated insert track with movable drives longitudinally spaced from each other along the track; an elongated member having a conveying means for driving the insert along the insert trajectory by a member; an insert orbit; sequentially engages the inserts, moves them into the insert track, and disengages them; and thereby the plurality of longitudinal directions to be respectively driven by the drive member. and insert feeding means for depositing the inserts in movable drive members spaced apart from each other. an insert dispensing device and said transport means for driving them in a predetermined phase relationship; a power transmission train interconnecting the insert dispensing device and adjusting the predetermined phase relationship; a power transmission train including a phase adjustment means for moving together. selectively interlocked with each other so that the at least the first and second power transmission elements of the power transmission train separated; interlocking means for selectively interlocking and disengaging the second power transmission element; the first and second positions in order to detect the position of the electronic sensing means installed in the second power transmission element; The force transmitting element is released to achieve the desired phase indication signal from the electronic sensing and indicating means. When the phase adjustment means is coupled to the power train for acting on the power train, A type of insertion machine. 2. The first and second power transmission elements may include a shaft and a timing pulley. The insertion machine according to scope 1 of the request. 3. The electronic sensing and indicating means indicates the relative positions of the first and second power transmission elements. a slip ring on the shaft to provide a signal from the shaft to The insertion machine according to claim 2, comprising: 4. The insert dispensing device includes an insertion motor having insert gripping jaws; and the phase adjustment means includes a remotely operable phase change voltage for rotating the insertion rotor. The insertion machine according to claim 3, which is a mechanical motor. 5. The phase change motor is coupled to a gear on a shaft linked to the insertion rotor. 5. An inserter according to claim 4, having a shaft with engaging gears. 6. The control system controls the electronics to achieve automatic phase adjustment in response to the sensed phase adjustment. The insertion machine according to claim 3, wherein the detection means and the phase adjustment means are interconnected. 7. Further, the electronic sensing means for achieving automatic phase adjustment in response to the sensed phase adjustment. and a control system interconnecting the phase adjustment means. Entering the machine. 8. The insert dispensing device includes an insert rotor having insert gripping jaws; in which case the phase adjustment means comprises a remotely operable phase change electric motor coupled to the insertion rotor; The insertion machine according to claim 1, which is: -. 9. The phase change motor is coupled to a gear on a shaft linked to the insertion rotor. 9. An inserter according to claim 8, having a shaft with engaging gears. 10. Further, the electronic sensing means for providing automatic phase adjustment in response to the sensed phase adjustment. and a control system interconnecting the phase adjustment means. Entering the machine. 11. An insert according to claim 10, wherein the interlocking means are electronically and remotely actuated. Entering the machine. 12. Further, the electronic sensing means for providing automatic phase adjustment in response to the sensed phase adjustment. and a logic control system interconnecting the phase adjustment means. Insertion machine included. 13. The insert dispensing device includes an insert rotor having insert gripping jaws; and said phase adjustment means comprises a remotely operable phase change electric motor linked to said insertion rotor. 13. The insertion machine according to claim 12, further comprising a motor. 14. Insertion according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking means are electronically and remotely actuated. Machine. 15. an elongated insert track with movable drives longitudinally spaced from each other along the track; an insert having a conveying means for driving the insert along the insert trajectory by a moving member; a long insert track and sequentially engaging the inserts and moving them into the insert track; and separate them, thereby causing each to be driven by the drive member. for depositing them on a plurality of said longitudinally spaced movable drive members for an insert dispensing device including an insert feeding means and driving them in a predetermined phase relationship; a power transmission train interconnected between the conveying means and the insert dispensing device. A phase adjustment device for use in an inserter of the type with selectively interlocked with each other so that the at least first and second power transmission elements forming part of said power transmission train; and interlocking means for selectively interlocking and disengaging the first and second power transmission elements. and to provide an electronic phase indication signal for detecting and indicating the positions relative to each other. electronic sensing means installed in the first and second power transmission elements for the purpose of and the second power transmission element is disengaged to receive the desired phase indication signal from the electronic sensing and indicating means. When achieved, the phase adjustment coupled to the drive train to act on the drive train A phase adjusting device comprising a adjusting means. 16. The phase adjustment device further includes a sensing correlation to achieve a desired phase indication signal. the electronic sensing and indicating means for automatically adjusting the matching relationship in response to the Phase adjustment according to claim 15, comprising an interconnected control system between the adjustment means. Device. 17. 16. A phase adjustment device according to claim 15, wherein said interlocking means is remotely actuated. 18. Claim in which the phase adjustment means is an electronic motor operated remotely and electronically. The phase adjustment device according to range 15. 19. Additionally, to automatically achieve the desired phase indication signal in response to the sensed phase signal. said electronic sensing and indicating means for providing automatic adjustment of said phase and said phase change motor. 19. The phase adjustment device of claim 18, including a control system interconnecting the.